Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1963)

To Kill a Mockingbird’ (Univ) Wins March Blue Ribbon Award By VELMA WEST SYKES yNIVERSAL’S “To Kill a Mockingbird” has been voted the March Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award by members of the National Screen Council. The film version of the Harper Lee best-seller is a family picture with a message but does not sacrifice entertainment values. Three talented children in the cast, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford and John Megna, give outstanding performances and Gregory Peck carries his star role with characteristic, deliberate impact. Admirable restraint is used in handling the racial angles of the picture, in keeping with the tone of the book, and the chilling episodes dealing with the children’s fascination for the mysterious neighbor kept locked up in his house add excitement and suspense. The Boxoffice review, December 17, 1962 issue, says of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in part: “The combination of Harper Lee’s first novel, which was on the best-seller list for two years, won the Pulitzer Prize and has passed 6,000,000 in sales, and Gregory Peck, one of today’s top film stars, in his finest acting role, will insure strong grosses for this powerful picturization of a compelling tale of anti-Negro prejudice in the South . . . the film is a fine example of the adult, thought-provoking fare now reaching the U.S. screens.” First-run reports from key cities show the film is doing 225 per cent of average business and it is being held over everywhere shown. Comments on the ballots of NSC members who voted the Award included these: “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the kind of movie that even has the critics singing sweet music of praise.” — Brainard Platt, Dayton Journal Herald . . . My choice of pictures for this month — a relaxed yet tense drama of life in a southern town with all the good and the bad demonstrated with startling clarity. Excellent performances by the whole cast. — Mrs. J. A. Dobbins, San Antonio Advisory and Reviewing Board. I loved the book, and the movie did not let me down. — Ruth Henderson, Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Me. . . . “To Kill a Mockingbird” should make a clean sweep in this year’s Academy Awards.— Jeanette Mazurki, Glendale (Calif.) News Press . . . An unusual picture beautifully done. Gregory Peck is so good that he’s my choice for the Oscar. The children were delightful. — Malcolm Miller, Knoxville Journal. At last a film one can whole-heartedly recommend for the entire family. — Rosemary Beymer, Director Art Education, Kansas City (Mo.) School District . . . “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a superb film with Gregory Peck and the darling children giving top drawer performances ... It is refreshing to observe the trend towards more family pictures.— Mrs. Lawrence Delay, Springfield (Mass.) MPC. There’s no question about it. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is very much for the whole family. It’s not “pap” but its appeal is universal. — Dave McIntyre, San Diego Tribune . . . Marvelous, warm, tender, brilliant acting. — Patricia Stomel, Philadelphia MP Preview group . . . Warm and wonderful parent-child relationship stressed in wise handling of maturing experiences makes this a satisfying, rewarding film. — Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Greater New Bedford BFC. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the finest films, not only this year but of many years. — Elinor Hughes, Boston Herald . . . While sentimental, still uncloying and dramatic. — Paine Knickerbocker, San Francisco Chronicle ... A wonderful adaptation of an outstanding novel. Gregory Peck the best he has been in ages and Mary Badham perfect as “Scout.” This is a movie that captures the “something” in everyone’s childhood. — Mrs. George C. Battle jr., A.A.U.W., Oak Ridge, Tenn. I II 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1 It I II 1 1 II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i M 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 m 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1 1 1 1 1 SCOUT IMPRESSES FATHER, BROTHER, NEIGHBOR AND MAID WEARING A DRESS (UNUSUAL) TO GO TO SCHOOL COURTROOM SCENE WHERE ATTICUS (GREGORY PECK) IS SHOWN DEFENDING TOM ROBINSON (BROCK PETERS) THE MYSTERIOUS BOO RADLEY (ROBERT DUVALL) TURNS OUT TO BE THE FINCH CHILDREN'S FRIEND The Cast Atticus Finch Gregory Peck Scout Finch Mary Badham Jem Finch Phillip Alford Dill Harris John Megna Sheriff Heck Tate Frank Overton Miss Maudie Atkinson Rosemary Murphy Mrs. Dubose Ruth White Tom Robinson Brock Peters Calpurnia Estelle Evans Producer Alan J. Pakula Director Robert Mulligan Based on Harper Lee’s Novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” Screenplay by Horton Foote Director of Photography Russell Harlan, A.S.C. Music by Elmer Bernstein Art Directors Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead Set Decorations Oliver Emert Sound Waldon O. Watson, Corson Jowett Judge Taylor Paul Fix Mayella Ewell Collin Wilcox Bob Ewell James Anderson Stephanie Crawford Alice Ghostley Boo Radley Robert Duvall Gilmer William Windom Walter Cunningham Crahan Denton Mr. Radley Richard Hale Walter Cunningham jr Steve Condit Rev. Sykes Bill Walker Production Manager Ernest B. Wehmeyer Assistant to Producer Isabel Halliburton Film Editor Aaron Stell, A.C.E. Costumes by Rosemary Odell Men’s Wardrobe Seth Banks Make-up Bud Westmore Hair Stylist Larry Germain Script Supervisor Meta Rebner Assistant Director Joseph Kenny iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii This award is given each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstanding merit and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio and TV film commentators, representatives of better films councils, civic, educational and exhibitor organizations. Production Staff